By day, he's a student in Columbus State's Nursing program. By night, he patrols the
streets as a security ambassador for the Discovery District Special Improvement District, a public-private partnership that provides additional safety services to Columbus
State's neighborhood.

One night, Rich Smith was in the right place, at the right time, to prevent a routine
police call from turning ugly. Here, Rich recounts the events in his own words. (Transcript
follows video)

Transcript

Columbus State’s campus is a small portion of the surrounding Discovery District.
With dozens of businesses – including another college - there’s a full-time safety
and security agency patrolling public areas connecting each property.

One of the security ambassadors – as they’re known – is Rich Smith. A Columbus State
nursing student by day – security ambassador by night. Last February he noticed a
suspicious person and radioed for Columbus Police. Once the special duty officer
arrived and started following the man, Rich continued on with his rounds until an
alarming radio call minutes later.

Rich Smith, CSCC Student & Security Ambassador: Coming down the alley when I got a radio call that there was an officer in need
of help.

He knew what officer it was – and about where they’d be – Broad and Washington.

Rich Smith: I ran down and saw them here on the sidewalk – they were wrestling.

With backup still minutes away – it was up to him.

Rich Smith: So I had to get down here and make sure the officer still has his weapon. Once I
saw that he still had his weapon I was able to hold him down to help the officer make
the arrest.

His boss, as you’d imagine, was pleased it all worked out.

Ben Barker, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District: I was proud to know he was at the right place at the right time. But of course I
always urge caution because we never know what that person has on them in terms of
weapons.

Rich Smith: It turned out to be an okay situation because everybody lived to see another day.
That’s the reason I did what I did.

Just one Columbus State Student – making a real difference in someone else’s life.